Ruslan Salei

50-Year-Old DefensemanD

Free Agent

2024 Stats

PP Pts

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PIM

2025 Projections

PP Pts

+/-

PIM

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2025 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Ruslan Salei in 2025. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Shoots Left

Height 6'1"

Weight 205

DOB 11/2/1974

Born Minsk, USSR

Drafted 1st Rd, #9 Overall in 1996

DFree Agent

September 10, 2011

Salei was one of 43 people killed when a jet carrying his Yaroslavl (KHL) team crashed moments after takeoff in Russia on Wednesday. It is considered one of the sports world’s worst aviation disasters.

ANALYSIS
The crash has shocked Russia and the entire hockey community. Several former NHLers played for Yaroslavl, one of the KHL's top teams last season. The team had been flying to nearby Belarus for the season opener. Salei had only just signed with Yaroslavl after spending last season with the Detroit Red Wings. He leaves behind his wife and three children, the youngest of whom was born this past March.

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

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Salei brings a gritty style to the Avs' blue line. He hits, blocks shots and adds a little offense to boot. We have him pegged for about 20 points or so this year, but the addition of Kyle Quincey in the offseason may see Salei in more of a shutdown role. Careful of the downside, and draft only in deeper leagues.

Salei is a feisty, aggressive, workhorse defender who plays a physical game and can contribute offensively when called upon. He tends to struggle with his consistency, however, and is prone to making defensive gaffes that get him into trouble with the coaching staff. He should line up as one of the Avs' top four d-men this season and could see time on the second PP unit. He is worthy of consideration in deeper fantasy leagues.

Salei had a career-high 32 points last season, but many of those came as a stand-in on the blue line for a struggling power play. With imports Cory Murphy and Noah Welch expected to take over such roles going forward, it seems likely Salei's offensive numbers will sag back to the 20-point level.

The Panthers are extremely excited to add Salei while buying out the contract of Sean Hill. Salei will probably start the season paired with Jay Bouwmeester on the team's top defensive pairing, which should help his numbers. On the other hand, he has never scored more than 19 points in his nine-year NHL career, so even a career year wouldn't be worth much in the fantasy world.

Despite the fact Salei will be planted on one of the Ducks' top two lines, you shouldn't consider him for your fantasy squad. Salei is a tough-nosed, stay-at-home blueliner that doesn't have much offensive power. What he will give you, if your league awards it, are plenty of PIMs.

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DFree Agent

July 6, 2011

Salei has signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL, The Windsor Star reports.